Picadillo-stuffed turkey (l a times)

12 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2quartsWater
½cupPlus 2 tb vinegar
1(12-pound) turkey
¼cupLemon juice
¼cupSalt
Butter, softened
12smallsCloves garlic, pureed
½teaspoonFreshly ground black pepper
¼cupOil
poundsLean ground pork
1tablespoonSalt
1cupFine-chopped onion
6Pimiento-stuffed green olives
2tablespoonsCapers, minced
teaspoonGround oregano
½teaspoonPoultry seasoning
¼cupOlive oil
cupPicadillo Stuffing
Oil or melted butter
2cupsGiblet stock or water
1Onion, chopped
1(4-oz) jar chopped pimientos with liquid
½cupSeedless raisins
2cupsApplesauce
3Hard-boiled eggs, chopped
Formatted by Manny Rothstein

Directions

TURKEY

PICADILLO STUFFING

TURKEY

Combine 1 quart water with ½ cup vinegar. Rinse turkey in vinegar mixture, drain well and soak in remaining quart water mixed with lemon juice. Drain well and pat dry.

Loosen skin over turkey breast with fingers, starting at neck opening and moving toward tail. Be careful not to tear skin.

Rub salt into bird cavity, over skin and between skin and flesh. Put softened butter under skin covering breast.

Combine garlic, pepper, oregano, poultry seasoning and olive oil in bowl. Place bird in non-reactive container. Rub skin all over with garlic marinade and dribble with remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Next day, remove bird from refrigerator 1 hour before roasting. Just before roasting, stuff bird partly through neck opening with Picadillo Stuffing. Sew shut with cotton thread or secure with skewers. Stuff bird through tail ¾ full to allow for expansion. Sew or skewer shut.

Truss bird. Rub turkey all over with oil or melted butter. Place turkey breast-side down on rack in roasting pan. Pour stock and chopped onion into pan.

Roast turkey at 325 degrees, basting often, until nicely browned and thermometer inserted into deepest part of thigh reads 175 degrees (155 degrees. Manny), about 15 minutes per pound. Halfway through, turn bird over and continue roasting. Remove from oven and let stand 30 minutes before carving.

PICADILLO STUFFING

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown pork slightly and add salt. Remove to separate bowl and set aside.

Discard all but 1 tablespoon browning oil. Reduce heat to medium-low, add onion and saute 5 minutes.

Add olives, capers, pimientos and their liquid and cook 5 minutes.

Add raisins and reserved pork. Cook, uncovered, 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove pan from heat. Add applesauce and eggs. Mix well. Stuffing may be made day ahead. Refrigerate or freeze if not using immediately. Do not stuff turkey until just before roasting.

Makes 12 to 15 servings.

Each of 12 servings contains about: 920 calories 3,637 mg sodium 361 mg cholesterol 66 grams fat 15 grams carbohydrates 67 grams protein 0.59 gram fiber.

From Julie Miranda, Copyright Los Angeles Times, November 16, 1995 Submitted By MANNY ROTHSTEIN On 11-25-95